Anyone has experience whether or not Swiss applies the seat blocking privileges to SENs and HONs?

I just noticed that out of CDG they don't know about it, think it's a hassle, and then give stupid answers: "we couldn't block the seat for you, as we thought the flight might be overbooked. It isn't in the end, but now there are only middle seats left". Errr, isn't it all about giving the seat next to me last? So if the flight isn't overbooked, there should be a free seat next to a SEN or HON, and not next to Joe Blogg in row 31?

Same when you phone check-in in ZRH: they "never heard about it".

Your experiences?